Student Set on Career Path with MCC’s Learn and Earn Experience

“Middlesex Community College has already accelerated my career and education more than I ever thought it could,” said Lexandra Roig, an MCC student. Learning about MCC’s Biotechnology Learn and Earn Experience “opened up my eyes to what opportunities there are for myself and others.”

With an interest in research and development, Roig wanted to pursue a career in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). She started college as a biology major, but struggled to choose a career that matched her interests.

In MCC’s Learn and Earn Experience, she gets theoretical and practical experience that helps her figure out a plan for how to begin a career and complete her associate degree in just two years.

“It’s given me industry experience so soon into my education that I now have many employment opportunities,” she said. “In turn, this helps boost my professional and personal goals of being a hard-working, financially stable, educated young woman.”

Middlesex designed the program to fit into students’ work schedules to avoid conflicts and to provide students with relevant work experience and networking opportunities. The Learn and Earn Experience also ensures students are paid at least $20 an hour for their work.

Roig was placed at MCC’s partner company Ultragenyx Gene Therapy in Cambridge as a Manufacturing Technician. Through this experience, she gains at least one year of guaranteed employment, has the potential for other permanent job opportunities in the future, and has access to support from both MCC employees and company professionals to help her be successful.

“This program gives employment opportunities when myself and many others probably would not have had a chance at even interviewing without the program backing us up,” she said. “The support from faculty and the funding to help cover the classes that needed to be taken has helped in unimaginable ways.”

Among the individuals who have helped her along her journey, Roig lists MCC Professor and Chair of the Biotechnology department Dr. Mariluci Bladon, who she refers to as the “smartest, sweetest lady.” By sharing her knowledge and passion for the subject – and motivating all of her students to reach success – Dr. Bladon has had the most impact on Roig’s education.

MCC’s recently renovated state-of-the-art laboratory is also what helps Roig and her classmates transfer the knowledge they learn from courses to their practical working experiences. In this “beautiful space,” Roig practices completing hands-on procedures that show her what she will be working on at her job. This experience also helps her to minimize mistakes when she is performing tasks in her work environment.

“It helped me going into my career feeling confident,” Roig said. “I was able to apply a lot of what I learned in the lab to the real world.”

While Middlesex came recommended to the Lawrence-native by friends, Roig did not expect the community college to provide her with all of the opportunities she received. Calling her experience “fantastic,” she is appreciative of the support services, mentorship from professors, and the community environment MCC offers.

In the future, Roig plans to take advantage of the A2M partnership between Middlesex and Northeastern University to go from an associate degree program at MCC to working toward a master’s degree at the university. If given the chance, she would also like to keep working at Ultragenyx.

“MCC met and exceeded all of my expectations from when I first started my education,” she said. “MCC will help me make a better future for myself and my family.”

Middlesex is hosting ongoing Learn and Earn small group information sessions throughout the Fall 2021 semester. Visit https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/biotechnology/learnandearn.aspx or contact Stefana Soitos at soitoss@middlesex.mass.edu for more information about the program and to register for an info session.

Part of the STEM pathway, the Biotechnology Learn and Earn Experience at MCC helps students go into – and succeed in – the workforce or transfer to four-year schools with its award-winning and affordable offerings, small class sizes and flexible schedules. For more information, visit https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/discover/dyp_stem.aspx to discover a path to a career in STEM at Middlesex.

Students can get back on track and reach their goals with a variety of options in MCC’s Fall 2021 semester. Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/registration/ or call 1-800-818-3434 to register.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, MCC has been a proven leader in education for more than 50 years. Middlesex puts the student first. Meeting each learner where they are, MCC provides them with a safe, welcoming and engaging place to learn. Offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses – Middlesex features flexible course formats and a variety of award-winning student support services and resources. Student success starts at MCC!